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The Ladies Who Lead Podcast is all about women supporting women. We will cover topics like, diversity and inclusion, gender pay gap and respect in the workplace. We want to celebrate with you and hear stories of success and hard lessons learned. Whether you are a lady who leads in the boardroom or a lady who leads in your community, this is the place for you.
This podcast is brought to you by Juniper Marketing, marketing that moves you. When we challenge what society tells us as women, you begin to thrive. Good things happen. You're producing fruit because you know what? That next lady sitting right next to you or someone that you're waving, saying hello to in passing, you could be helping her by having these deeper conversations.
Speaker 1:Welcome to the Ladies Who Lead Podcast. This is a community of women supporting women. Tune in every other Thursday to hear from SK Vaughn as she catches up with ordinary ladies doing extraordinary things. We will cover topics like diversity and inclusion, gender pay gap, thought leadership, and respect in the workplace. We want to celebrate with you and hear stories of success and hard lessons learned.
Speaker 1:Whether you are a lady who leads in the boardroom or a lady who leads in your community, this is the place for you. Let's do this.
Speaker 1:Welcome back. It's SK here. Can you believe it? We are back for another season, thanks to you. And I promise this season's gonna be jam packed full of exciting ladies who are leading respectively in their different industries and, the good, the bad, and the ugly that we see along the way, and fun lessons learned because sometimes the best way to learn is to just to walk through it.
Speaker 1:And what's unique about this sit down conversation with people is a chance to really hear from them. And so this season is going to be bigger and better than the other ones. I cannot wait for you to listen along, and I look forward to your feedback and continuing to want to make this thing better. But so excited to be back here on the mic officially on our first episode. And in true fashion, I am going to talk about how I'm surviving and thriving this week, and then we'll get into it.
Speaker 1:Here we go. And this is a solocast today. So next week, tune in for a really incredible interview with one of my favorites, Sarah Ottz, who is an artist. But today, you just have me. So buckle up, get comfy, whatever it is that you do while you listen along, and we're going to have a great time today.
Speaker 1:So how am I surviving and thriving? Well, I am we'll start with surviving. I'm surviving much like where we left off with Season 3. And I still can't get into the specifics just yet, but I am surviving in this season of a lot of change. And with change, it really can sometimes paralyze you.
Speaker 1:Like the fear of the unknown, or the what if, or how do I go about doing something and starting back over from the beginning. And this season of change really inspired, actually, this season of growth that we're going to be talking about through this entire episode. But a lot has happened Just to repeat where we left off, I left my job. I'm no longer working for the company I was working for. My husband and I are relocating.
Speaker 1:We're still in the process of relocating officially to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. We're living here, but we have yet to buy anything just yet. We're waiting for our house to sell in Mobile. And so there's been a lot of back and forth with that. You know, Closing one chapter and beginning a new chapter is always a fun, exciting time, but it's also a little bit stressful.
Speaker 1:And so just kind of picking up our lives and moving them over here has been an adjustment. And then kind of now what, right? And then the podcast is so exciting and it's rocking and rolling in the midst of all of this change. And so it's just been a continuous learning experience and I'm thankful for it. And I have seen a lot of really good things come from it.
Speaker 1:And so speaking of thriving, the podcast is officially launched if you're listening for season 4. It's just been really humbling to hear from people on the side, like text, DMs, whatever it may be, how much they're enjoying the podcast and the topics of conversation that we're having, and then just me being the crazy person that you know me to be. And it's just been fun to kind of hear that. And then I'm thriving because I have never felt so free. It's a scary time not having a typical, quote, unquote, 9 to 5 job right now.
Speaker 1:And that's a little bit scary, if I'm being honest. But it's also been a little bit liberating because, for once, I don't really have to answer to anyone. Obviously, my husband and I still talk with him and we still make decisions together. But, you know, I've I've felt really free and liberated in this this new chapter, in this new season, to be able to go and do, and to be creative, and to have a little bit of downtime, which is a huge luxury and not everyone has that same experience. But I've been working for about 9 years now.
Speaker 1:And before that, I was always working because in my family, we grew up. You know, you're going to pitch in and contribute or you're not going to have gas money. That's the family I was raised into. So I always understood the value of hard work and the how far a dollar can really stretch. But this season has been really nice to have some downtime to unplug, to lean into areas that I'm most passionate about.
Speaker 1:And that's been really fun to explore. And I don't take that for granted. But that's how I'm thriving. Like, I was talking to my friend last night on the phone. I was like, I don't think I've ever been so happy than I am right now.
Speaker 1:And that's if you knew me even 6 months ago, that's a huge exciting thing to hear. And that friend was just like over the moon for me when we were talking last night. So that's how I'm currently surviving and thriving. I hope that you do that challenge for yourself each week and or each day and decide for yourself, see the good and the not so great in the day to day, but I think focusing your perspective on what you're so grateful for in this season is just a really humbling and it's a great way to have a mindset shift. And I've had some stinking thinking in my day, don't get me wrong, I truly have.
Speaker 1:But I've kind of started to shift that mindset a little bit more and tried to kind of regroup on, like, what's most important to me. So that's how I'm surviving and thriving. How about you? Are you looking for a new membership to really plug into, find community, and really begin thriving? Well, we have just a membership for you at Blaze Who Lead Podcast.
Speaker 1:We have a membership on Patreon that is the thriving membership. It's only $5 a month. You get exclusive content, bonus episodes, sneak peek at the new merch, and early access to all of our announcements and promotions that are happening right here, right now. You're just and promotions that are happening right here, right now. You're just the first person to know about it.
Speaker 1:If this sounds like the membership group for you, don't hesitate to sign up as we link it in our show notes. It's patreon.com back slash the ladies who lead. And this is an incredible membership you do not want to miss out on. Let's talk about it. So much to go over today.
Speaker 1:We're talking about the theme for this season, which if you know and have been listening forever, we don't normally have a theme. Right? It's like there's multiple themes rolled into 1, because each conversation lends itself to certain underlying themes of resilience, of drive, ambition, self control, accountability, you know, all the things that are ageism or, like, how to overcome these things. And and that's what makes it really unique and fun, and I promise the conversations will still go there. But I I think, like I mentioned, this feeling all these feelings wrap up into 1 at the end of season 3 for me.
Speaker 1:As I think about Bloom Where You're Planted, this is the exciting season that we all journey through. And I think it's multiple seasons, right? Because you don't reap the fruit of your hard work or seeing a goal met day 1. Right? Like the first day is all about finding good soil, being rooted in something that really matters.
Speaker 1:Taking the time to plant those seeds and water it and prune it and watch it grow and transform and the environment has to be just right and the elements have to be just right. It's all about kind of taking, if you if you will, go with me here. It's like you yourself are this plant going through all of these different seasons of hardship, of growth, of bearing fruit, of seeing good things happen. But there's also a lot of pruning and hard stuff that has to go on in order to get there. And I think that's like a continual cycle for life when you really boil it down, is we're all on this journey together, for better or for worse.
Speaker 1:And I think there are so many great and beautiful lessons to be learned along the way, no matter who you are, no matter what your background is, where you come from, what your education level is, we all have struggles. I think it's a great equalizer. Now everyone's different in what those look like and how they come to be. But we all understand what it means to have to work through hardship, suffer through loss and grief. Pull yourself up when you feel like laying face down in the dirt and not getting back up.
Speaker 1:And, oh, man, that was like me for a whole year at one point, where I was just like, what am I doing? And how do you get up from that? Like, how do you get back up better than before? And that takes a lot of hard work, a lot of self reflection, I think prayer if you're religious, and a strong community. And I think community is the root of what this podcast is all about.
Speaker 1:As you get older and you graduate from college or you go on after high school and work, as you get to be an adult, no one tells you it becomes harder and harder to find that community because you're not all the same age going to the same place, doing the same thing, having similar interests, and same season of life, kind of when you fly the nest, if you will, you're kind of having to figure it all out. And that can be really overwhelming and really intimidating at times. But if you have a good sense of self, if you have a really strong friend group, if you have coworkers who just get you sometimes, even on your bad days, and they can just look at you and tell, those are sweet moments in between that are worth celebrating. And that is what we're trying to get across this season is really bloom where you're planted. I've been uprooted every 3 to 4 years due to my husband's work, which is such a great thing, like it's not a negative.
Speaker 1:So please hear me in saying that. I'm happy for him. I couldn't be more proud. And it's definitely a team effort. But at the same time, it doesn't make it any easier when you're the new kid or the new lady and starting fresh again from nothing.
Speaker 1:Luckily, we're in the South, so that's not it's not like I'm completely moving across the world or across country, as some might like to point out. But it is still an adjustment. I mean, you're still in a completely new environment, and you do have to kind of lay down roots quickly and start fresh. And that takes a lot of perseverance. And so I would like to think, over the last several years that not that I've mastered it by any means, because I haven't.
Speaker 1:That's why we're on this podcast. It's like figuring it out together. But I like to think I figured some things out of, like, at least true to myself. And like, what does it mean to be showing up at networking events by myself? What does it look like to show up to socials by yourself?
Speaker 1:What does it look like to show up to church as a couple by yourselves, not knowing people? Or what does it mean to completely just start fresh with a new friend group? But maybe everyone has been friends for years. Right? Like all of these themes, I think we can all relate to on some level.
Speaker 1:Even if you haven't moved around a bunch, but you've moved around at least once or twice in your life, you get it. Right? You've been there. You know those feelings. You know what it took to overcome and persevere.
Speaker 1:Maybe you got lucky and you fit right on in to some big friend group, and that's awesome for you. But there's been other struggles in your life too. And trying to overcome those while getting connected or reconnecting with people is always a little bit of a dance, right? And that's kind of what we're talking about this season is understanding the different phases of what it looks like to grow. And I feel like sometimes the best growth is in the waiting.
Speaker 1:Part of my surviving has been very much this waiting season, waiting and anticipating something to happen. Anything, right? If you've started to figure out, I just started my own marketing agency. I don't I'm not really promoting it in a big way, but I'm proud of it. It's called Juniper Marketing.
Speaker 1:I'm not pitching you on working with me at all. It's something that I've been wanting to do for about 5 years. And for many reasons, if you've heard my story, if you know kind of the gist of things, I've tried and dabbled in a couple of different areas and fell completely on my face. And that's called failing forward. And that takes a lot of vulnerability to keep trying.
Speaker 1:In fact, I had someone last night even say, oh, yeah, you're trying to be an influencer, aren't you? And I just looked at her. And I was like, no, just have a podcast. I'm not trying to be anything but myself. And I just think that sometimes people associate trying with not achieving or not being able to set out to do a thing.
Speaker 1:And I think some of the most beautiful moments are in the in between. It's not trying. I'm doing it. Right? You don't try to be a good mom.
Speaker 1:You just do it. You don't try to be the best version of a friend that you can think of. No, you just jump in and surprise your friend with dinner that night, because it's been a really long week for she and her family. You're not trying to be a good friend, you're just doing it. And so I think that this season of waiting has been very much not trying.
Speaker 1:But I've just made up my mind, like, we're doing this. Like the marketing agency, the podcast, 100% all in, let's go. Either you're with me or you're not. And that's Okay. And it's not for everyone, right?
Speaker 1:But for those who want to grow, for those who don't mind getting comfortable with being uncomfortable, having those hard conversations, asking the tough questions about yourself to really understand how you can better yourself, and what it takes to professionally grow in a community of like minded women, like if that's your jam, girl, you found the right place. Welcome. If this is your first time listening, welcome. You are going to fit right on in, and we're going to be great friends. If you've been around for a while now, you know the drill.
Speaker 1:You're like, oh, it's just SK being SK, per usual. But there's a lot of exciting things happening this season. I told you last at the end of last season, we're going to video, and here we are. We're videoing, and it's like a full circle moment full circle. And I'm trying this for the first time, and we'll just see how it goes.
Speaker 1:Wish me luck. But I'm excited about this. There's a lot of fun things happening, a lot of promos, a lot of, like, really getting to understand the guest speakers beyond just the one episode. So if you are a member in our membership group, you're going to get unlimited access. It's going to be incredible.
Speaker 1:You're going to be the 1st to hear all of it. You're going to know what's coming before anyone else. And you're also going to be able to shop early, get drops early, get access to our newsletters, and so much more. So it's a great way to plug in and find some mentorship or to find mentees. That's really the design behind the membership group.
Speaker 1:But there's just so much to unpack this season. And I'll just say this much. In terms of real growth, it it definitely takes some of these harder moments in life. And that, my friend, is super difficult because it's different for everyone. Everyone's circumstances are uniquely their own.
Speaker 1:And I think, at the end of the day, you have to have enough self worth and confidence in who you are to step up and step out, if that is what you want to do. But I want to encourage you that in this season of difficulty, in this season of joy, I want you to look around and just say thank you. Because I've been there where it feels like it's it's touch and go. Some days, I'm like, I'd rather just stay in bed and pull the covers over my head and not adult today. And especially if you have multiple kids, I don't know how you do it.
Speaker 1:Moms out there, my hat's off to you. But I want to encourage you in this season of maybe waiting, in this season of discovery or exploration, like have fun. Play a little bit. Do things that are outside of your comfort zone and try new hobbies. Maybe work is just really draining you right now, and you're like, oh, I just need a pick me up.
Speaker 1:I just need time. Find that for you. Carve it out. Find that time to pour back into yourself because you can't pour from an empty cup. We all know this, And you need to have time to be able to recharge, rejuvenate, and be your best version of yourself, especially for your kids and for your husband, of course, or your partner, whoever that might be.
Speaker 1:But I want to encourage you to keep going because you've got me cheering you on. Going into the garden is all about self exploration. It's about figuring out who you are as an individual, as a wife, as a partner, as a friend, and being able to spread joy in life to others. And in the season of pruning, growth, maybe you're like, SK, like I'm just like feeling dead on the inside. There is so much beauty in the becoming, in what's to come.
Speaker 1:But also, staying really firmly rooted in where you're at. Because when you're transplanted from job to job, or community to community, or maybe you're moving to a new neighborhood, or maybe you're in this season of transition, that is hard. And so I invite you, if you're looking to grow, if you're looking to thrive in this upcoming season and a chapter in your life, please tune in and hear from these wonderful ladies who are going through exactly what you're experiencing. They may have a different profession than you. They may look completely different than you.
Speaker 1:But that's good, because when we challenge ourselves to go beyond the status quo, when we challenge ourselves to dig deeper and to ask those unsettling questions that we'd rather stay away from. When we challenge what society tells us as women, you begin to thrive. Good things happen. You're producing fruit because you know what? That next lady sitting right next to you or someone that you're waving, saying hello to in passing, you could be helping her by having these deeper conversations.
Speaker 1:When you put in the work to figure out what's stirring within you and figure out how to show up authentically as yourself in the midst of all of that, you never know whose life you're making a huge impact in. You never know who may have been having like the worst day ever. But because they encountered you and you said something kind and wonderful to them, that you didn't just like sprout something within them. Like last night, I was going to a dinner party. And truthfully, I didn't have anyone at the dinner party that I knew, of course.
Speaker 1:I'm just over here, like, just walking up to these, like I mean, I was invited, obviously. But I didn't have, like, a huge friend group I was going with or anything like that. But I had stopped at Walgreens to pick up some gum because I just I read that I needed I needed gum. Okay? And I was walking out of Walgreens, and this this older lady about ran me over.
Speaker 1:But she stopped, and I, like, waved at her, and she rolled down her window. And she said to me, now I'm a 100 I'm almost 100 years old so I can say this to you like she was saying that to me and she was like I just have to say you are looking dynamite you are looking fantastic And I was she like rolled up her window. I was like, oh, thank you, and like waved awkwardly. She like rolled up her window and just drove off. She didn't have to say that to me.
Speaker 1:But of course, in the moment, I was picking up my dress a little bit on the way out, trying to like it laying how I wanted it to. And the fact that she said that made me show up so much more confident into that party that I really felt like I didn't even know if I was dressed right for it. I didn't know who would be there, how the conversations would go, or anything like that. And for that lady to have spoken that life over me or into me in that random encounter, just really meant the world. And it made me smile.
Speaker 1:And I was just like, Okay, thanks. Like I needed that. I needed that pick me up. When you are able to grow and see the good through your whole journey up until now, you're able to speak life into others. You're able to create that little spark or that sprout that just shows up in that person to really want to transform and be this beautiful version of themselves.
Speaker 1:And I think when you give people their flowers, like that lady did for me, I just think that it completely transforms the way that you think and approach life. And then you're more willing yourself to share that love and light with the next person. And so again, buckle up. This is going to be a fun, exciting season of surviving and thriving, which we all love. And I just can't wait for you to hear from all of these incredible women.
Speaker 1:I mean, I am like super, super pumped about everyone who's coming on. And I've pretty much fangirled over every single person who has decided to join us this season. So I hope that you'll love it just as much as I do. And tune in to next week's episode, because we've got our first guest interview for the season. Thanks, and have a wonderful day.
Speaker 1:And I cannot wait to connect with you soon. Thank you for listening to another episode of the Ladies Who Lead podcast. If you've loved what you've been hearing, it's this simple. Rate, review, and subscribe anywhere you listen to your favorite podcast. That's the best way to keep things going and to share your love.
Speaker 1:And trust me, I appreciate it so much. So if you want to continue this thing going, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe to the Ladies Who Lead Podcast. Thank you again for listening, and I can't to join you next week for another incredible episode. Keep thriving.